KCMG announced a distinctive car‑sharing partnership featuring Giuliano Alesi and Seita Nonaka for the upcoming three‑round Super Formula weekend at Fuji Speedway.
The Toyota‑powered outfit confirmed on Thursday that Alesi, son of Formula 1 legend Jean, will pilot the team’s #9 entry for Rounds 6 and 7, while Nonaka is set to contest the Sunday morning sprint race that replaces the cancelled Autopolis event.
KCMG is required to field Nonaka in the sprint race, scheduled for 25 laps without a mandatory pit stop, following his qualifying performance at Autopolis.
Nevertheless, Nonaka’s sole chance to pilot the Hitech‑run car before the race will be limited to reconnaissance laps, as KCMG intends to maximize Alesi’s on‑track preparation for his Super Formula return.
Following the Fuji round, Alesi will take over the seat that was originally earmarked for Kalle Rovanperä, who withdrew from the championship for the remainder of the season due to illness.
Alesi returned to Super Formula competition for the first time in three years during the in‑season test at Fuji, marking his first championship appearance since being removed by TOM’S midway through the 2023 season.
The French driver previously made headlines in 2021 by winning in only his second start at Autopolis under wet conditions, although his best subsequent result was an eighth‑place finish.
Nonaka Sect, KCMG
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
Since losing his TOM’S seat, Alesi has concentrated mainly on competing in SUPER GT for the same team, while also participating in Rookie Racing’s 2024‑title‑winning Super Taikyu program and more recently taking part in both the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
Nonaka’s best result in four attempts this season has been 17th, and he is slated to start 15th in the replacement race, with the grid determined by Autopolis qualifying outcomes.
The 2021 Japanese F4 champion’s sole points‑scoring finish occurred last year at Motegi, where he substituted for an absent Kamui Kobayashi at KCMG and finished eighth.
He later failed to score in seven starts for TGM Grand Prix and lost his seat at season’s end, only regaining it after Rovanperä was forced to withdraw.
Nonaka will resume his role as KCMG’s reserve driver for the remainder of the season.
KCMG’s sole points finish to date came in the second round of the season‑opening Motegi double‑header in April, where Kenta Yamashita finished seventh.
